Halifax Weekend Getaways: Best Trips Within a Few Hours’ Drive
Last checked Oct 27, 2026. Drive times and seasons in this guide come from Tourism Nova Scotia, Parks Canada, Northumberland Ferries and the Confederation Bridge, linked in each section. Where we couldn’t find an official figure, we left it out. Roads, schedules and opening hours change, so check before you go.
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Some of the best weekend getaways from Halifax are barely an hour away. You can be eating lunch in Mahone Bay, tasting wine in Wolfville or watching the waves at Peggy’s Cove before noon on Saturday. With a long weekend, Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island are in reach too. This is an overview to help you pick. When you’re ready, our full itineraries cover each route day by day. Most of these trips need a car, so compare rental cars on Discover Cars before you book a room.
In this guide
Weekend getaways from Halifax at a glance
Drive times are one way from Halifax and come from the official source in the last column. A dash means we couldn’t find an official figure.
| Getaway | Drive or crossing time | Best season | Vibe | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peggy’s Cove | About 1 hr | Year-round; some seasonal businesses close off-season | Lighthouse, granite coast, day trip | Tourism Nova Scotia |
| Mahone Bay | About 1 hr via Hwy 103 | Summer and fall | Cafés, shops, three churches | Tourism Nova Scotia |
| Lunenburg | About 1 hr 20 min via Hwy 103 | Summer and fall | UNESCO old town, harbour, inns | Tourism Nova Scotia |
| Wolfville and the Annapolis Valley | About 1 hr | Late spring to fall; winter wine events | Wineries, farm markets, inns | Tourism Nova Scotia |
| Eastern Shore beaches and Sheet Harbour | — | Summer | Beaches, quiet overnight | Tourism Nova Scotia |
| Kejimkujik National Park | About 1 hr inland from the South Shore route | Summer | Canoeing, hiking, swimming | Tourism Nova Scotia |
| Pictou and the Northumberland Shore | About 2.5 hr from Wolfville | Summer | Warm-water beaches, ferry to PEI | Tourism Nova Scotia |
| Cape Breton Highlands and the Cabot Trail | About 5 hr | Visitor centres mid-May to Oct. 25 | Long weekend, scenic drive, hiking | Parks Canada |
| PEI by ferry (Caribou to Wood Islands) | 75-min crossing | June 15 to Dec. 20, 2026 | Beaches, red cliffs, food | Northumberland Ferries |
| PEI by Confederation Bridge | About 10-min crossing | Year-round | Charlottetown, Cavendish | Confederation Bridge |
Distances from Halifax to Pictou, PEI and the Eastern Shore aren’t listed on the official pages we checked, so map your own route before you go. The Wolfville-to-Pictou time above is from Tourism Nova Scotia’s 7-day itinerary.
South Shore: Lunenburg and Mahone Bay
The South Shore is the classic Halifax weekend trip. Tourism Nova Scotia puts Lunenburg about 1 hour 20 minutes from Halifax on Highway 103, or a bit longer on the scenic Lighthouse Route (Trunk 3). Mahone Bay is about an hour away, so it makes an easy lunch stop on the way.
In Lunenburg, walk the UNESCO-listed Old Town, visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, or take a deck tour or sail on the Bluenose II when it’s in port. In Mahone Bay, browse the shops and photograph the three churches on the harbour. Chester sits on the same stretch of coast if you want a quieter stop.
For a place to stay, Tourism Nova Scotia’s weekend getaways list names B2 Lofts, Ashlea House Bed & Breakfast, River Ridge Lodge and the Ivy House Inn. Compare South Shore stays on Trip.com. For a full route, see our 7-day Nova Scotia road trip itinerary.
Annapolis Valley wineries
Nova Scotia’s wine country is about an hour from Halifax. Tourism Nova Scotia says Wolfville’s downtown is walkable, and guided wine tours often provide transport to nearby wineries, so you don’t have to drive between tastings. The Harvest Moon Trailway is good for a walk or bike ride.
Spend Saturday at the farmers’ market and a couple of wineries, then add Grand-Pré National Historic Site, the Look-Off or Halls Harbour on Sunday. Tourism Nova Scotia’s weekend list suggests inns such as the Tattingstone Inn, Blomidon Inn, The Evangeline and The Stella Rose B&B. Fall brings harvest season and Devour! The Food Film Fest.
Add the world’s highest tides with our Bay of Fundy day-trip guide.
Peggy’s Cove and St. Margarets Bay
Peggy’s Cove is about an hour southwest of Halifax, and most visitors spend one to two hours there. That makes it a day trip or a scenic detour on the way to the South Shore. Tourism Nova Scotia suggests allowing an extra half hour of driving each way if you add it to a Lunenburg trip. Stay off the dark, wet rocks near the water. Tours and tips are in our Peggy’s Cove tours from Halifax guide. To stay near the city instead, compare Halifax hotels on Trip.com.
Cape Breton and the Cabot Trail (long weekend)
Cape Breton is a stretch for a two-day weekend. Parks Canada puts Cape Breton Highlands National Park about a 5-hour drive from Halifax, and 2 hours from the Canso Causeway. Make it a long weekend: drive up Friday, do the Cabot Trail on Saturday, and head home Sunday or Monday.
Tourism Nova Scotia says the Cabot Trail from Chéticamp to Ingonish takes about 2 hours without stops, so plan a full day with lookouts and a short hike. The park’s visitor centres are open from mid-May to October 25, with full services in July and August. Our Cabot Trail road trip itinerary has the full route, hikes and stops.
PEI weekend
You have two ways to reach Prince Edward Island. In season, drive to Caribou near Pictou and take the Northumberland Ferries crossing to Wood Islands. It takes 75 minutes and runs June 15 to December 20, 2026. Since October 18 there are four sailings a day each way. Vehicles must check in at least 40 minutes before departure.
Year-round, the Confederation Bridge links New Brunswick and PEI and takes about 10 minutes to cross. You pay the toll only when you leave the Island. Many people take the ferry in and the bridge out, or the reverse. Once you’re there, see Tourism PEI and our PEI road trip itinerary for beaches, Charlottetown and Cavendish.
Romantic getaways near Halifax
For romantic getaways near Halifax, the inns are the draw. Lunenburg and Mahone Bay have heritage B&Bs and waterfront dinners. Wolfville pairs boutique inns with tastings and vineyard views. Want a weekend getaway in Nova Scotia with a hot tub? Filter for one when you book. Many cottages and vacation rentals list it, but amenities vary, so confirm it’s working and available in winter. A sunset at Peggy’s Cove makes an easy add-on to any South Shore stay.
Winter weekend getaways
For a Halifax winter getaway, Wolfville is the safest bet. Tourism Nova Scotia notes quieter winery experiences and the Nova Scotia Winter Wine Festival. Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove are quiet and beautiful in winter, but seasonal attractions, restaurants and inns may cut hours or close. Book rooms that confirm they’re open. Cape Breton Highlands visitor centres close after October 25 and the PEI ferry stops after December 20, so winter trips to PEI use the bridge.
Not sure which season suits your trip? Here’s the best time to visit Nova Scotia, month by month.
No-car options
Honestly, most of these trips are much easier with a car. Tourism Nova Scotia says Lunenburg, Wolfville and Peggy’s Cove are most easily reached by car. Without one, your best options are:
- Guided day tours from Halifax to Peggy’s Cove and the South Shore. Browse experiences on Tiqets or see tours on Klook.
- Wine tours in Wolfville that include transport between wineries.
- A city weekend: stay downtown and explore Halifax on foot. If you’re flying in, our Halifax airport to downtown guide covers the bus, taxis and shuttles.
Renting a car for the weekend
A weekend rental gives you the most freedom, especially for the South Shore and the Valley. Book early for summer and fall weekends. Compare weekend car rentals on Discover Cars to see current prices from several companies at once. Picking up at the airport? Read our Halifax airport car rental guide. No credit card? See how to rent a car without a credit card in Canada.
Before a PEI trip, check that your rental company allows ferry crossings. Check road conditions before winter drives too, especially on Highway 104 toward Cape Breton.
FAQ
What are the best weekend getaways from Halifax?
Lunenburg and Mahone Bay on the South Shore, Wolfville and the Annapolis Valley wineries, and Peggy's Cove are the easiest, each about an hour or a little more by car according to Tourism Nova Scotia. With a long weekend, Cape Breton Highlands National Park or Prince Edward Island are worth the extra driving.
What are good short trips from Halifax by car?
Peggy's Cove, Mahone Bay and Wolfville are each about an hour from Halifax, and Lunenburg is about 1 hour 20 minutes via Highway 103, per Tourism Nova Scotia. All work as day trips from Halifax by car or as relaxed overnights.
Is Cape Breton too far for a weekend from Halifax?
Parks Canada puts Cape Breton Highlands National Park about a 5-hour drive from Halifax, so it suits a 3-day long weekend better than a 2-day trip. Tourism Nova Scotia says the Cabot Trail from Chéticamp to Ingonish takes about 2 hours without stops.
How do I get from Halifax to PEI for a weekend?
In season, drive to Caribou near Pictou and take the 75-minute Northumberland Ferries crossing to Wood Islands; the 2026 schedule runs June 15 to December 20. Year-round, the Confederation Bridge from New Brunswick takes about 10 minutes to cross, and its toll is paid when you leave PEI.
What is a good Halifax winter getaway?
Wolfville is a good winter pick: Tourism Nova Scotia notes quieter winery visits and the Nova Scotia Winter Wine Festival. Lunenburg and Mahone Bay are pretty off-season too, but some seasonal attractions, restaurants and inns cut hours or close, so check before you go.
Can I do a weekend getaway from Halifax without a car?
It is harder. Tourism Nova Scotia says Lunenburg, Wolfville and Peggy's Cove are most easily reached by car. Guided tours are the simplest car-free option, and Wolfville's downtown is walkable, with some wine tours that include transport.
Pick a getaway, book your room and car, and leave room to linger. More ideas are in our travel guides.
Weekend trip essentials
Tools we’d use ourselves. Always check current prices and terms before you book.
- Car rentalCompare companies in one search. Search Discover Cars →
- Halifax hotelsStay in the city. Compare on Trip.com →
- Things to doTours and tickets. See Tiqets →
- Full itineraryMake it a week. Nova Scotia in 7 days →
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